SMITHFIELD — A year ago, Smithfield High senior Kyon Croker could never have envisioned things like a 9-1 record, a Bay Rivers District football title or district Defensive Player of the Year recognition. The Packers had just finished a 1-9 season in which they had allowed 30 or more points in six losses.

Amid the rubble, Croker saw a glimmer of hope in seniors Savon Spratley and Seth Christian, who would not quit or allow their teammates to. Croker figured a little earlier start with that kind of attitude and a little more team unity and the 2012 Packers could turn the tables.

"Last year, I wasn't on the leader side," said Croker, a 5-foot-9, 210-pound senior. "I looked at (Spratley and Christian) lead the team and pump us up when we'd get down in self-confidence.

"I told myself, 'I've got to lead my team like that. This team needs leaders and I'm going to lead.'"

There is no dispute, among the players or coaches, that Croker has been the team leader of one of the biggest turnarounds in district history. Not only did the Packers rise from the outhouse to the penthouse in the standings, the defense — which has allowed fewer than 135 yards and 10 points per game — emerged as the Bay Rivers' best.

"When I came out at the beginning of the season, and saw the work ethic everyone was putting in, I knew we'd be way better than last year," said Christian, who leads the Packers into a Region I Division 4 playoff semifinal against visiting King George (9-2) on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. "I told my teammates, `If you give everything you've got, there's no way we can be beat.'"

Croker has done much more than just lead vocally. He is the Packers' leading rusher with 473 yards and nine touchdowns.

He tallied 62 tackles and returned two interceptions for touchdowns en route to earning Bay Rivers coaches' nod as the district's top defensive player. But as much as his play, Croker's charismatic personality has inspired his teammates and impressed his coaches.

Jamarie Wrenn, an all-district defensive back, added, "He doesn't just lead with his stats, he leads with emotion. When it's third-and-2, he'll say, 'We gotta go and tighten up right now.'

"He's got the ability to make everybody feel, 'Ya'll got to make a big play now.' Everybody listens to him."

Wrenn said that's in large part because Croker puts his money where his mouth is.

"He's always putting in the work," Wrenn said. "When everybody else is putting their clothes on (after practice) he's in the weight room lifting another hour.

"And it's not just a one-day thing. It's every practice."

So many of the Packers, particularly the defenders, join him. They might be getting out some of the frustration from only hitting about 20 minutes per week in practice, although Croker agrees with Harrell's philosophy on that.

"Last year we hit every day, so when Friday came everybody was banged up and we weren't ready mentally," Croker said. "This year we work more on what the other team's offense is going to do.

"Everybody is a fiend to hit in practice, but the coach will say no. When Friday comes, everybody is healthy and it's surprising how well you can move and tackle."

The Packers have tackled and defended very well, holding seven of their 10 opponents to fewer than 100 yards rushing. And, although the district's top two rushers, Lafayette's Jahlil Green and Warhill's Devonte Dedmon, cracked 100 against Smithfield, both were below their per game averages and the Packers won those games.

"I always hear about this running back running for this many yards for this or that team," Croker said. "I say, 'OK, but he hasn't played Smithfield.'"

Saturday's game

REGION I DIVISION 4 SEMIFINALS

KING GEORGE (9-2) AT SMITHFIELD (9-1)

WHEN: 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Smithfield High.

THE BUZZ: Two resurgent programs featuring spread offenses battle it out for a trip the regional championship game. King George beat Grafton 34-28 last week to win its first playoff game in more than a decade. Smithfield, which had a bye, earned its only playoff victory nearly two decades ago (1993 to be exact), but enters with one its best teams in school history. The Packers have won largely with defense, allowing fewer than 135 yards and 10 points per contest, led by the linebacker corps of Chuck Sharon, Kyon Croker and Nick Kennedy — all of whom made first-team All-Bay Rivers District. No Packer has run for more than 500 yards, but as many of five capable backs share the load. The Packers don't throw a ton, but QB Jermaal Wells (718 yards passing) has a good arm and three big-play receivers. King George is more apt to go to the air, with QB Corey Henderson (1,932 yards passing, 20 TDs) able to count on four wideouts with 260 or more receiving yards. The KG defense has been solid this season, but surrendered nearly 350 yards to Grafton, not exactly an offensive juggernaut. The hunch here is that Smithfield's speedy, aggressive defense gives it the edge again.